Connacht know they must rise to the occasion
CONNACHT know they will have to go up a gear to see off Benetton today.
Pete Wilkins’ side showed their class in a second-half fightback to defeat Pau 40-20 in France last Sunday with Bundee Aki scoring the winning try have trailed by eight points at the break.
They travel to Treviso seeking revenge for their 18-14 defeat in the URC match at the end of March and Wilkins is confident they will rise to the occasion.
Wilkins said: “Any knockout game is special, but for us to be returning to Treviso after such a close result two weeks ago in the URC only adds to the interest and excitement around this fixture.
“I was very proud of the physical and emotional intensity we brought to the last 16 game in Pau last weekend, and some of the rugby we played was outstanding, but we will need to be better again to back it up against a Benetton team full of experience and international quality.
“Our players and staff are all aware of the significance of this game and what a positive result would mean to the province, not to mention our incredible supporters, many of whom have joined us on the journeys to Italy and France over recent weeks. It will be another great challenge this weekend and as ever their support will play a massive part as we strive
to reach the last four of the Challenge Cup.”
Wilkins has made four changes from the side that beat Pau – with three of them due to injuries since that game. Andrew Smith comes in on the wing instead of Shayne Bolton, while JJ Hanrahan will start at out-half to replace Jack Carty who misses out with a hamstring strain. Caolin Blade will captain the side from scrum half.
Smith is joined in the back three by Shane Jennings and Tiernan O’Halloran at full back.
The centre partnership remains unchanged with Aki and David Hawkshaw.
There are two changes in the forwards, with Darragh Murray and Paul Boyle coming in for Niall Murray and Jarrad Butler who is undergoing graduated return to play protocols.
Murray will be alongside Joe Joyce, and Boyle joins Cian Prendergast and Shamus Hurley-Langton in the back row.